Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-09-30

answered the girl, with rough coquctry.
''Why, you are keeping company with
that ugly Sarah at Mr.. Rayner S; and.
now. she is ill. you want to take up
with me. Oh, II fine sweetheart you'd
maker
But she was not as obduratc rs these
words promised. 1t seemed to me.
with my suspicious concerning Tom al
ready strong. that in the talk which fol-
lowed he managed with very little diff
Guilty to find out a good deal about the
ways of the household, and also that he
spoke as if he had learned from her n
good deal already. Presently l heard
the sound of kiss. and he promised to
come and see her again on Wednesday;
and then they went away; while l.
SelZGu by a silddGlf inspiration. found
my way not to the park, but back to
the house, which was less difficult
l asked for Miss Maud Rcadc again;
and this time she rushed out of the
drawing room and met me in the hall
as soon as l was announced, and whis-
pered:
"They are all in there. Come into
the library"
MAY L have my letter back, just to
put in something have forgotten?"
said l.
"Oh, yes; here it isr'-and she drew
it from her pocket write it here. l
will give YOU pen. Why. how white
you look! Has any thing happencd?"
''Oh. no. no. nothing. thank you"
/ wrote on half sheet of paper,
which carefully folded inside my let
tor, these words:
"a man who was at Dcnham Court,
and about whom have strong suspi-
cions. is hanging about the Hall now.
He is coming here again on Wednesday
night"
l put my letter into fresh envelope,
and put the torn one into my pocket
that it might not be seen about; then
begged Miss Reado earnestly to send
the letter of at once, as there was
something in it of the utmost impor-
lance; and she whispered again: .'Rc-
member-Mr. Reynolds in the winter!"
l made my way safely, though with
some difficulty. through the park and
back to the Alders. where l entered by
the window ! had left unfastcned. l
heard the voice of Tom Parkcs in the
study and that of Mr.. Rayncr, speak
ing kindly in reply. And when Tom
had said Goodnight, SIR" went up
stairs and prepared for tea. l said
nothing of where l had been or what
had done.
That evening Mr.. Rayner had great
deal to say concerning the proposed
trip to the Mediterranean shore. He
asked me if / was not anxious to see
the pretty dresses my mother had been
commissioned to get for me, and told
me ! should look like little Princess
if l were good and did just what l was
told.
There is no fear of my not doing
that, MIR. Rayner," said /. smiling.
''But you must not give me too hand
some dresses, or l shall not feel at
home in Them"
You will soon get used to them.
said he, with curiously sharp smile
There is nothing that women get used
to sooner than fine clothes and beauti-
full jewels, and pretty idlcness and
kisses"
Certainly liked Laurcnce's kisses;
but tho tone in which Mr.. Rayner
said this grated upon me. and brough,
the hot blood to my cheeks uncom.
fortably. He saw the effect his words
had upon me, and he jumped up and
came to where l was standing ready tc
light my candle.
"You look hurt, nv child. but YOU
have no reason forit Don't you know
that all these things arc the lawful
right Of pretty wOmen?"
''Then it is a right a good many oil
them are kept out of all their lives.
Mr.. Kayner." said ]. smiling.
''Only the silly ones, he replied. in a
tone that l did not understand. "Well,
! will explain all that to you on oul
journey to Monaco"
He looked very much excited, and
his blue eyes flashed and sparklcd as
he held my hand.
''Don't be surprised at what have
said to you this evening. You have
brought me luck and YOU shall share
It. This journey shall take you to the
arms of lover who will give you all
sAsS L cPOkC VI luOIC7d
thousand times morc!"
That was true. indeed. 1 thought to
myself (but did he mean what
meant? as tore myself, laughing and
blushing, away and ran upstairs
There was moro delight in tho fact
that Lawrence preferred me to any
other woman in the world than in all
the beautiful gowns and jewels that
ever Princess wore. And l went up to
sleep that night with my hands under
my pillow clnsping his letter.
first time and spent the afternoon by
the dining-rOOm fire. Soon after din
ner Mr.. Kayner came in with his rid
ing-boots ON and asked with q smile il
had not letter to send to the post.
He was going to ride to Bcaconsburgh,
and, if l gave it to him. it would 90 q
post earlier than if l put it into tho bag
for the pOstman to fetch.
"NO, have no letter, thank you,
Mr. Rayner," said l. with blush.
mot line for-Nlce, to tell-somo
one you are coming?" said he, archly.
mo-" answered /, shaking my
head.
"You posted that one yesterday
yourself, didn't you. Miss Christic?''
whispered little Haidec, putting hel
arms round my neck.
Mr.. Rayner heard the whisper.
Yesterday" asked he. quickly.
I'll gave a note to Miss Reado to
put with hers" said l.
A curious change passed over Mr..
Rayncr. The smile remained on his
face, which had. however. in one sec.
ond turned ashy white. He said: "All
right, my dear" in his usual voice, ex.
cept that fancied there was q sort Of
hard ring in it. and left the room.
Was it naughty of me to sayP" said
Haidee. feeling that something was
wrong.
''Oh. no. darling" answered.
i, too. was afraid l had displeased
Mr.. Rayner by going to the hall. with
out saying any thing about 1t to any
one. in what must seem a sly. under
hand manner; and wished Laurence
had not enjoined me to send my letter
in that way.
That evening. at tea-time, Mr.. Ray
ner announced that he had found a let,
ter. waiting for him at the Beacons-
burgh post-office which obliged him to
60 to Monaco day sooner.
So Haidec and must be prepared ia
start on Thursday morning.
CHAPTER XVI
Tuesday afternoon there was O ring